Schumer, Gillibrand Announce Over $8.2 Million in Federal Funds to Expand Rural Broadband in Delaware County

FCC Funding Is Expected to Provide Broadband Access to Homes and Businesses

Washington, DC – U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $8,208,810 in federal funding to expand high-speed, broadband internet access in Delaware County. The federal funding was administered through the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Alternative Connect America Cost Model (A-CAM) to Hancock Telephone Company, and is expected to provide broadband service to over 1,100 homes and business around the Town of Hancock in Delaware County.

“Much like the telephone, electricity and television, the internet has gone from a novelty, to a luxury, to a necessity. Communities across Upstate New York, like Delaware County, require it to build economic development, to create good-paying jobs and to learn,” said Senator Schumer. “Fortunately, with this multimillion-dollar federal investment, Delaware County and the Town of Hancock will finally have the resources needed to close the far-too-large digital gap. I’ll continue fighting tooth and nail to secure funding that brings our rural economies Upstate into the 21st century.”

“Reliable and fast internet access is a necessity in the 21st century economy,” said Senator Gillibrand. “Families, workers, and businesses who can’t access broadband are cut off from critical services and economic opportunities. This funding is great news and it will help give more communities in the Hudson Valley greater ability to get online and stay competitive. I will continue fighting in the Senate to ensure that our communities have the resources they need to be successful.”

The Alternative Connect America Cost Model (A-CAM) is an FCC program that works to expand broadband deployment in underserved and sparsely populated areas by supporting small, rural carriers whose costs of providing broadband service are high. The FCC will hold carriers that receive A-CAM funds accountable for delivering broadband service by setting carrier-specific implementation deadlines.